Monthly Archives: October 2014

On Saturday 6th September, on the eve of the Great North Run, two brief events were organised in St Thomas’s Church by the Rev’d Catherine Lack on behalf of Newcastle University’s Chaplaincy, and Dr David Golding CBE, a leader of North East CALL TO ACTION, the region-wide campaign on global poverty and climate change.

In addition to the main speakers, special guests included Judith Kirton-Darling MEP; Cllr Anita Lower, Leader of the Opposition on Newcastle City Council; and Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central. Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement & Internationalisation) represented the University.

In the first, campaigns event, Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, thanked the university and region for its support for the campaign from its earliest years and spoke about current problems resulting from resurgent irresponsible lending. Paul Brannen MEP spoke about the challenge of responding to climate change, when we now have a major political force, UKIP, which is climate sceptical.

The second event, led by Rev’d Lack, was a ‘Service of Blessing for the Great North Run and those in need at home and abroad’, and focussed on peace and conflict. Readings included first hand accounts of those caught up in the First World War, on both sides of the conflict. Rt Rev’d Frank White, the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, based his address on the words of the Prophet Micah, “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more”.

About 60 people attended the events, including a number of those participating in the Run on the following day, and several students displayed the logo’s, during the final blessing in the Service, of the various charities which benefit from the substantial fundraising efforts of the University/NE-CAP team.

Any time soon, but ideally over the ‘Hunger for Justice’ weekend, 18th-19th October.

NE-CAP is sponsoring this action in support of Christian Aid and the ‘Hope for the Future’ coalition (http://www.hftf.org.uk/), but it’s entirely appropriate for those of any faith or none.

Millions of people around the world are already suffering because of climate change, and far greater numbers will suffer far more unless we stir ourselves. Please stand in solidarity with them and write to or email your MP calling for action to secure a cleaner and brighter future. As usual, we’ve made it really easy for you!

“I write to show my support for the ‘Statement & Request’ (see below) by North East CALL TO ACTION. In particular, [mention one or two features of the statement] …

Conclude by asking for a response and add the usual courtesies.

Copy and paste the ‘Statement & Request’ into the body of the email (DON’T send it as an attachment), and change the format of the whole message to Plain Text.

CHURCH ACTIONS

‘Lord to those who are hungry, give bread. And to those who have bread, give a hunger for justice’ (Latin American Prayer)

Over the ‘Hunger for Justice’ weekend, 18th-19th October, or at any time soon, you can help grow the movement of those taking steps towards a better future by encouraging your church take action to tackle climate change. There are several things you can do, for example:

Pray for all those who feel the impact of our changing climate and for world leaders to find positive lasting solutions to tackle climate change. Hope for the Future (http://www.hftf.org.uk/) has suggestions for hymns, prayers and sermons.

Take a photo of your congregation and send it to your MP with an accompanying letter (and, if you wish, a copy of our ‘Statement & Request”) asking them to ensure their party is committed to fighting climate change.

Encourage the congregation to believe that together we can take a million actions to change our world and build a safe, clean future – the website of your usual aid agency will have lots of ideas.

If you can’t do something over the weekend of 18th – 19th October, then please think about taking action at another time.

We can stop the worst excesses of climate change, but only if we work together and press our politicians for strong action to build a safer, cleaner future.

I thank Kerry Crellin of Christian Aid and ‘Hope for the Future’ for their help in preparing this material.

North East CALL TO ACTION joins with ‘Hope for the Future’, Christian Aid and the Climate Coalition…

IN STATING THAT

“We are really concerned about Climate Change. We’re worried that unless the UK Government takes strong action now, the future of our children and grandchildren is going to be bleak”;

IN ASKING THAT:

“Please can you tell us what is in your party’s 2015 General Election Manifesto that will enable the UK to reach the target of at least an 80% reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? (as set out in the Government’s Climate Change Act 2008).”

FINALLY:

We’d like you to pass on our concerns to your Manifesto Planning Group, and please keep us informed on your party’s position on this matter, so that our supporters can decide how they will vote.

NOTE:

“Political leaders cannot possibly ask for a more robust, evidence-based call for action… We know what needs to be done. We cannot wait until it is too late. We cannot wait until what we value most is lost.” (St James’s Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium, 2009)

Posted inWhat's on|Comments Off on HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Personal and/or Church Action on Climate Change

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings…Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.”
Nelson Mandela, 2005